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Pinstripe Calathea · Calathea ornata

Why are my Pinstripe Calathea's leaves getting brown tips?

Brown tips are a common complaint with Pinstripe Calatheas because they are sensitive to water quality and humidity. Check your water source first, as these plants often react poorly to minerals found in tap water.

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Check these first

  1. Check if your tap water is hard or treated with chlorine.
  2. Feel the soil to ensure it is not drying out completely between waterings.
  3. Measure the humidity level in your room with a hygrometer.

Likely causes

  1. Water quality

    Most likely

    How to tell: The tips turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks healthy.

    What to do: Switch to using distilled, filtered, or rainwater for your plant. These options lack the harsh salts and chlorine that cause leaf burn.

  2. Low humidity

    Most likely

    How to tell: Brown tips appear alongside edges that feel dry or brittle to the touch.

    What to do: Place a humidifier nearby or group your plant with others to create a microclimate. Aim for humidity levels between 50 to 60 percent.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your pinstripe calathea

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

It is normal to see a tiny bit of browning as leaves age, but if it spreads to half the leaf, you need to adjust your care.

Stopping it coming back

Use filtered water consistently and keep the plant away from heating vents or drafty windows.

Pinstripe Calathea: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pinstripe calathea and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Can I trim the brown tips off?
Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the green part of the leaf, as this can cause more damage.
Will the brown tips turn green again?
No, once a leaf tip turns brown and crispy, it will not recover its color. Focus on preventing the damage from spreading to new growth.

More problems with Pinstripe Calathea

Back to the Pinstripe Calathea guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.